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The American musician advocates taking breaks between practice sessions

If I have a lot of repertoire to learn, I’ll practise for up to eight hours in a day. But I never practise for more than an hour at a time: I’ll do an hour then eat something, do another hour and watch some TV, do another hour and so on. For me an hour is the maximum I can focus properly.

'Physically the violin is a very awkward instrument for your arms, neck and back. It’s not something you should work on for ten hours a day. I get regular massages, to keep myself aligned. You have to be smart about the quality of your practice rather than the quantity.'

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